Aziridine derivatives

ABSTRACT

Novel aziridine derivatives of the formula: WHEREIN R is hydrogen or methyl and R1 is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula: WHEREIN R is as defined above and R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; is an alkylene radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene residues bonded to one another by -CH2-, -SO2- or -O- are produced by reacting stoichiometric amounts of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid imide of the formula: WHEREIN R2 is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula: WHEREIN R&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; is as defined above with an aziridine of the formula: WHEREIN R is as defined above at a temperature of 20* to 200* C. for 10 minutes to 10 hours in the presence or absence of a solvent.

United States Patent Sambeth et al.

[ 1 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] AZIRIDINE DERIVATIVES [72] lnventors: Joerg Sambeth, Carouge/Geneva;

Friedrich Grundschober, Confignon/Geneva, both of Switzerland [73] Assignee: Societe Rhodiaceta,

[22] Filed: June 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 57,018

Related U.S. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 771,986, Oct. 30, 1968,

Pat. No. 3,642,712, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. Nos. 552,388, May 24, 1966, abandoned, and Ser. No. 552,403, May 24, 1966, abandoned.

Paris, France [52] U.S. Cl ..260/326.3 [51] Int. Cl. ..C07d 27/10 [58] Field of Search ..260/326.5 FM, 326.5 G

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1953 Bestian ..260/78.4

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Bestian et al. Chem. Abs. 44: 5805-07 (1950) Ethyleneimine The Dow Chemical Company (1965) p. 10.

Primary Examiner-Alex Mazel Assistant Examiner-Joseph A. Narcavage Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57] ABSTRACT Novel aziridine derivatives of the formula:

N-CH-C 0 RHC/ N-R1 CHz-CO wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R, is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula:

wherein R is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula:

wherein R" is as defined above with an aziridine of the formula:

wherein R is as defined above at a temperature of 20 to 200 C. for 10 minutes to 10 hours in the presence or absence of a solvent.

1 Claim, No Drawings AZIRIDINE DERIVATIVES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of Ser. No. 77 l ,986 filed Oct. 30, 1968 now US. Pat. No. 3,642,712, which in turn is a continuation-impart of co-pending application Ser. Nos. 552,388 and 552,403, both filed May 24, 1966 and now abandoned and both claiming priority to our application filed in Switzerland on May 28, I965.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula:

wherein R is as defined above and R" is an alkylene radical of two to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene residues bonded to one another by at least one of the following radicals:

The process for making these aziridine derivatives comprises reacting, in a stoichiometric ratio at a temperature between 20 and 100 C. for a length of time ranging from 10 minutes to 10 hours, in the presence or absence of a solvent, at least one unsaturated dicarboxylic acid imide of the formula:

wherein R is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula:

wherein R" is as defined above with an aziridine of the formula:

wherein R is as defined above.

Among the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid imides, use is preferably made of at least one of the following imides: maleimide, N-methyl-maleimide, N-phenylmaleimide, N,N'-ethylene-bis-maleimide, N,N'-hexamethylene-bis-maleimide, N,N'-dodecamethylenebis-maleimide, N,N-p,p'-diphenylether-bis-maleimide, N,N-p,p-diphenylmethane-bis-maleimide, and N,N'- p,p'-diphenylsulphone-bis-maleimide.

As for the aziridine, use is preferably made of ethyleneimine or Z-methyI-ethylene-imine.

The reaction being highly exothermic, particularly when an imide is being used and even more so with maleimide, it can become very violent should the mixture of starting substances be over-heated. This can be avoided by employing an inert solvent having a low boiling point, such as for example ethyl ether, and by slowly adding, while strongly stirring, an aziridine solution to an imide solution. In the case of bis-imides, the reaction is less exothermic, so that the solvent may be dispensed with, in particular when use is made of a bisimide which is soluble in the aziridine. A reactive mixture may also be prepared with an excess of aziridine, the reaction proceeding of course in a stoichiometric ratio.

The novel reticulated polymers obtained by polymerization of the aziridine derivatives of the present invention are characterized by the following recurring structural units which are connected to one another through amide linkages:

wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, and R, is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a pentavalent radial of the formula:

wherein R is as defined above and R" is an alkylene radical of two to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene residues bonded to one another by at least one of the following radicals: CH S0 and O and when R, is said pentavalent radical it is attached to the rest of the recurring structural unit through the R portion thereof.

The process for making these new reticulated polymers comprises heating at a temperature between 50 C. and 200 C. at least one novel aziridine derivative ofthe formula:

IUIOSS 0662 wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical of the formula:

wherein R is as defined above and R" is an alkylene radical of two to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene residues bonded to one another by at least one of the following radicals: CH S and O These novel aziridine derivatives are monomers produced by reacting an aziridine with an imide or his imide of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid as disclosed immediately above.

Among the aziridine derivatives which can be used in the production of the reticulated polymers, there are, for example N-aziridyl-3-succinimide, N-methylaziridyl-3-succinimide, N,phenyl-( N-aziridyl-3-succinimide, N,N'-ethylene-bis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide), N,N'-hexamethylenebis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide),

N ,N '-dodecamethylene-bis-( N-aziridyl-3-succinimide), N,N'-p,p'-diphenylmethane-bis-(N-aziridyl-3- succinimide), N,N'-hexame-thylene-bis-(2'-methyl-N- aziridyl-3-succinimide).

The reticulated polymers obtained by polymerization of the aziridine derivatives of the present invention are well-suited to the production of molded objects. De pending upon the starting substance that is used, a molded object may be provided in any of three different ways:

a. by polymerization in a mold at atmospheric pressure,

b. by polymerization in a mold at a pressure greater than atmospheric, and

c. by melting in a container to produce a substance suitable for casting which is then poured into a mold and polymerized.

The reticulated polymers obtained by polymerizing a starting material resulting from the reaction of an aziridine derivative with an unsaturated dicarboxylic 7 acid imide has adhesive properties and can thus be used for assembling parts, in particular metal parts. In such a case, the starting material is placed between the parts requiring assembly to form a sandwich which is then heated to bring about polymerization in situ.

The polymers obtained from a starting substance resulting from the reaction of an aziridine derivative with an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid bis-imide may be used for sizing textiles since, during polymerization in the presence of textile fibers, the substance reacts with the reactive groups of the fibers.

The polymerization of the monomers can also be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, thereby accelerating the reaction at any given temperature. The one requirement of the catalyst is that it must be capable of providing acid groups, such as for instance dimethylethyl-pwherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a trivalent radical of the formula:

wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R" is an alkylene radical of two to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene residues bonded to one another by at least oneof the following radicals: CH S0 and O and when R, is said trivalent radical, it is attached to the rest of the polymer through the R" portion thereof.

The following examples illustrate the processes of producing the compounds of the present invention and of these examples, numbers 1 through l0 illustrate the production of the novel aziridine derivatives and numbers l 1 through 22 illustrate the production of the reticulated polymers.

EXAMPLE 1 A solution of 6.65 g of ethylene-imine in 50 ml of ethyl ether is slowly added, while strongly stirring, to a Florence flask under reflux containing a solution of 15 g of maleimide in lOO ml of ethyl ether and the reaction is left to occur at a temperature ranging from 25 to 30 C. There is obtained after about 15 minutes, by precipitation, 18 g ofa substance in the form of a white powder having a melting point which after recrystallization from acetone, is between 121 C. and 124 C. The elemental analysis (51.8 C, 5.69 H, 20.2 N), the molecular weight (calculated as 140 for C H N 0 and found to be 141.5) and the infra-red spectrum of this substance show it to be N-aziridyl-3-succinimide.

EXAMPLE 2 A solution of 9.0 g of Z-methyl-ethylene-imine in 50 ml of ethyl ether is added to a Florence flask containing a solution of 15 g of maleimide in ml ethyl ether and the reaction is left to occur at a temperature between 25 C. and 30 C. After some 30 minutes, there is obtained, by precipitation, 20 g of a substance in the form of a white powder having a melting point between 98 C. and 104 C.

EXAMPLE 3 A mixture of 17.3 g of N'-phenyl-maleimide and 4.5 g of ethylene-imine is progressively heated to a temperature of 100 C., and stirred, in a Florence flask under reflux having a nitrogen atmosphere, which temperature is maintained for 4 hours. Evaporation is then carried out in vacuo until dry. The resultant product is N-phenyl-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide).

EXAMPLE 4 A mixture of 27.6 g of N,N'-hexamethy1ene-bismaleimide and 9.0 g of ethylene-mine is progressively heated to a temperature of 100 C, and stirred, in a Florence flask under reflux having an atmosphere of nitrogen, this temperature being maintained for 8 hours. Evaporation is then carried out invacuo until dry. The resulting product is N,N-hexamethy1enebis- (N-aziridyl-3-succinimide). It is viscous at ambient temperaturebut becomes fluid when heated.

EXAMPLE 5 EXAMPLE 6 35.8 g of maleic N,N'-p,p-diphenylmethane-bisimide are dissolved, while stirring, in 250 ml of boiling benzene in a Florence flask under reflux, and 9.0 g of ethylene-imine are added thereto. The solution is heated for 8 hours at 60 C. and evaporation is then carried out in vacuo until dry, leaving 44 g of a solid substance. This substance is N,N-p,p-diphenylmethane-bis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and has a melting point which after two re-crystallizations from ethanol, is between 123 C and 126 C.

EXAMPLE 7 4.4 g of N,N'-ethylene-bis-maleimide are dissolved while stirring in 100 ml of boiling benzene in a Florence flask under reflux, and 1.8 g of ethylene-imine are added thereto. The solution is then heated for 8 hours at 60 C. whereupon evaporation is carried out in vacuo until dry to yield 6 g of a solid substance. This substance is N,N'-ethylene-bis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and melts between 170 C and 180 C.

EXAMPLE 8 A mixture of 27.6 g of N,N'-hexamethylene-bismaleimide and 12.0 g of 2-methy1-ethylene-imine are progressively heated to a temperature of 100 C., and stirred in a Florence flask under reflux having a nitrogen atmosphere, which temperature is maintained for 10 hours. Evaporation is then carried out in vacuo until dry. The resulting product is N,N'-hexamethylene-bis-(2-methyl-N-aziridyl-3-succinimide). lt is viscous at ambient temperature but becomes more fluid when heated.

EXAMPLE 9 36 g of N,N'-p,p'-diphenylether-bis-maleimide are dissolved while stirring in 300 ml of boiling benzene contained in a Florence flask under reflux, and 9.0 g of ethylene-imine are added thereto. The solution is then heated for 8 hours at a temperature of 60 C. whereupon evaporation is carried out in vacuo until dry. 44 g of a solid substance are obtained. This substance is N,N-p,p'-dipheny1ether-bis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and melts between 129 C. and 134 C.

EXAMPLE 10 41. g of N,N-p,p-diphenylsulphone-bis-maleimide are dissolved while stirring in 300 ml ofboilingbe'nzene contained in'a Florence flask under reflux, and 9.0 g of ethylene-imine are added thereto. The solution is then heated for 8 hours at a temperature of 60 C. whereu- .pon evaporation is carried out under vacuo until dry.

46 g of a solid substance are obtained. This substance is N,N'-p,p-diphenylsulphone-bis-(N-aziridyl-3 -succinimide).

EXAMPLE 11 7 g of N-aziridyl-3-succinimide are poured into a mold and heated at 120 C. for 24 hours. The resultant product is a molded reticulated polymer body having good mechanical properties. It is infusible but decomposes at about 300 C. It is insoluble in organic solvents but swells in boiling water.

EXAMPLE l2 10 g of N-methyl-aziridyl-3-succinimide are poured into a mold and heated at a temperature of 1 10 C. for '5 hours. The resultant product is a molded reticulated resin body. It is infusible but decomposes at about 260 C. lt is insoluble in organic solvents but swells in boiling water.

EXAMPLE l3 5 gof N-phenyl-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and 0.05 g of ethyl-n-toluenesulphonate are poured into a container and this mixture is heated in a mold for 24 hours at a temperature of C. A molded body is obtained which decomposes at 300 C.

EXAM LE 14 A mixture of 5.3 g of N,N'-ethylene-bis-(N-aziridyl- 3-succinimide) and of 0.05 g of methyl-ptoluenesulphonate is poured into a mold and heated for 1 hour at a temperature of 180 and a pressure of 100 kg/cm". The resulting product is a molded reticulated resin body which is infusible and which is insoluble in organic solvents. lts Vicat softening product is at 240 C. and it decomposes at 320 C.

EXAMPLE 1S 5 g of N,N'-dodecamethylene-bis-(N-aziridy1-3-succinimide) are poured into a mold and heated for 64 hours at a temperature of C. The resulting product, in the form of a molded body, has a dark color and is infusible and insoluble. It decomposes at 370 C.

EXAMPLE l6 g of N,N-hexamethy1ene-bis-( N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and 0.05 g of ethyl-p-toluenesulphonate are poured into a container and this mixture is heated at 60 C. to obtain a substance suitable for casting which is then poured into a mold and heated for 4 days at a temperature of 140 C. An infusible and insoluble molded body is obtained. Its Vicat softening point is at 157 C. and it decomposes at 320 C.

EXAMPLE 1? EXAMPLE l8 5 g of N,N'-p,p'-diphenylmethane-bis-(N-aziridyl-3- succinimide) are poured into a mold and are heated for 1 hour at a temperature of 200 C. and a pressure of 100 kg/cm The resulting molded body is infusible and insoluble. lts Vicat point is at 260 C. and it decomposes at 300 C.

EXAMPLE 19 10 g of N,N-p,p'-diphenylmethane-bis-(N-a2iridyl-3 -succinimide) and 0.05 g propyl-p-toluenesulphonate) are poured into a mold and this mixture is heated for hours at a temperature of 120 C. and a pressure of 100 kg/cm The resulting body is infusible and insoluble. Its Vicat point is at 225 C. and it decomposes at 300 C.

EXAMPLE 5 g of N,N'-p,p-diphenylmethane-bis-(N-aziridyl-3- succinimide) and 0.05 g of methyl-p-toluenesulphonate are poured into a mold and heated for 15 hours at a temperature of 120 C. and a pressure of 100 kg/cm. The resulting body is infusible and insoluble. lts Vicat point is at 220 C. and it decomposes at 300 C.

EXAMPLE 21 5 g of N,N-p,p'-diphenylether-bis-(N-aziridyl-3-succinimide) and 0.05 g of methyl-p-toluenesulphonate are poured into a mold and heated for 15 hours at a temperature of 120 C. and a pressure of kg/cm. The resultant body is infusible and insoluble. lts Vicat softening point is at 220 C. and it decomposes at 300 C.

EXAMPLE 22 5 g of N,N'-p,p'-diphenylsulphone-bis-(N-aziridyl-3- succinimide) and 0.05 g of methyl-p-toluenesulphonate are poured into a mold and heated for 15 hours at a temperature of C. and a pressure of 100 kg/cm. The resultant body is infusible and insoluble. lts Vicat softening point is at 200 C. and it decomposes at 300 What is claimed is:

l. A compound of the formula:

wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and R, is hydrogen, methyl, phenyl or a radical o the formula:

wherein R is as defined above and R" is an alkylene radical of two to 12 carbon atoms or two phenylene radicals bonded to one another by at least one of the following radicals:

-CH --SO and --O UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 691,195 Dated September 12 1972 Inventms) JOERG SAMBETH ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet insert:

-- [30] FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA May 28, 1965 Switzerland. .7463 I May 28 196 Switzerland. 7464 Signed and sealed this 15th day of May 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-1oso (10-69) I wand,

k U,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-366-33A. 

